Argentina defeats Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time in Miami
Argentina beat Cape Verde 3-2 in a round‑of‑32 match in Miami, advancing in the 2026 World Cup.
Argentina faced Cape Verde in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup in Miami and won 3-2 after extra time, according to multiple outlets. Lionel Messi scored the opening goal of the match, as reported by the Times of India.
Argentina completed a perfect group stage, winning all three of their Group J matches (USA Today). Cape Verde finished second in Group H with three draws, earning draws with Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia (France 24; USA Today) and recorded a 2‑2 tie against Uruguay in a group‑stage game in Miami (USA Today).
Accounts differ on the stage Argentina reached after the victory. Indian and other outlets state that Argentina advanced to the round of 16 (India, other), while Latin American outlets claim Argentina reached the quarterfinals (Latam). Mercopress also reported that Argentina reached the quarterfinals.
France 24 reported that Cape Verde became the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout rounds of a World Cup. USA Today noted that Lionel Messi has six goals in the 2026 World Cup, tied with Kylian Mbappé for the Golden Boot lead.
This account was written only from facts that survived Augur's
corroboration pass — 3 corroborated across opposed news blocs,
1 contested (attributed to both sides), 8
single-source (attributed). Nothing was added; no significance was inferred.
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